La Capital: The Biography of Mexico City

by Jonathan Kandell

Book Overview

From the ancient geological rumblings that formed the city's unique setting to the recent tremors that devastated the city in 1985, the capital's complex story unfolds. The countless individuals, both... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0394540697
• ISBN13: 9780394540696
• Release Date: November 1988
• Publisher: Random House (NY)
• Length: 640 Pages
• Weight: 2.50 lbs.

Customer Reviews

La Capital - A Great Read

Anyone at all interested in Mexico should read this book. This book is written in a style ala James Mitchner. It deals with a huge period of time, starting before the time of the Aztecs and moves through to modern times. The author keeps it exciting and accurate. He covers the highlights of Mexico City and because of it's governmental centralization, the Country of Mexico itself, without becoming overly bogged down in detail. If you are a fan of historical novels, this is a book you won't be able to put down.

Excelente trabajo

Un libro que se lee sin mayor dificultad gracias al lenguaje sencillo pero preciso, y en esto radica la magia del autor que de ese modo nos motiva a continuar. Libre de tecnicismos antropológicos o históricos esta obra es recomendable para todo aquel que desee enterarse sobre México con una visión clara, veraz y hasta divertida.

I wish I could read it again for the first time!

When I finished reading the book I looked up with a sad expression on my face. When my friend saw how sad I was at finishing the book she suggested that I "read it again". I made the mistake of not getting a copy of my own. I have been looking for a copy since then, without results. Do you know where I may find a copy?

A gem, fact filled history, written beautifully

As a resident of Mexico City, who has studied its history, La Capital by Jonathan Kandell is the finest example of what a history book can be. It reads like a page-turner mystery and the publisher should hang their head in shame that the book has not been reprinted. I'll run out today and buy whatever copies are left in Mexico, to give as gifts in the future.

Well-written history of the world's largest city

If you don't like to read history, or you find it boring, this book might spark your interest! Spanning thousands of years but with a great deal of interesting personal detail, La Capital reads like a thriller. An essential guide to anyone who wants to understand what Mexico City is all about and how Mexican culture has evolved to its present state.